El Patrimonio paleontológico en los museos y colecciones visitables de Cataluña: evaluación de su gestión

La riqueza del patrimonio paleontológico de Cataluña ha hecho que la Paleontología catalana haya tenido un importante recorrido que se remonta a la segunda mitad del siglo XIX . Este desarrollo histórico ha originado que el patrimonio paleontológico"mueble" se encuentre ubicado dentro de instituciones museísticas de alcance y situaciones muy contrastadas. Para evaluar la situación del patrimonio paleontológico mueble presente en los museos y colecciones visitables de Cataluña, se ha realizado este trabajo de investigación, seleccionando una muestra de las 57 instituciones que tienen colecciones de Paleontología en Cataluña. Los tres objetivos que se pretendían alcanzar eran saber: [1] cuál era la situación y cómo se gestionaba el patrimonio paleontológico, que se encontraba en los museos y colecciones visitables de Cataluña, [2] si el patrimonio paleontológicos se encontraba suficientemente valorado por sus gestores en los museos y colecciones visitables, y por la Administración responsable, [3] cuál podía ser la gestión del patrimonio paleontológico mueble de Cataluña en tiempos de crisis, basándose en experiencias descritas en otros países. Con respecto al primer objetivo se puede decir que las colecciones de Paleontología presentes en los museos y las colecciones visitables de Cataluña son importantes tanto por el número de ejemplares como por su calidad. Indicadores de esta importancia los encontraríamos con los más de 675.000 unidades de registro , y en los más de 1.000 tipos descritos. Pero existen también colecciones de Paleontología de propiedad privada, de las que no se dispone de datos fiables. Las colecciones de Paleontología continúan creciendo tanto por las donaciones y cesiones que se producen por parte de particulares, como los depósitos provisionales provenientes de las actividades de investigación (excavaciones, prospecciones, muestreos, etc....) que realizan los museos y otras instituciones. La comparación de los datos obtenidos en este trabajo, con uno previo de Loran (2006) sobre colecciones de Historia Natural en Cataluña, permiten deducir que la situación prácticamente no ha cambiado. Las carencias y deficiencias que se registran en la gestión y conservación de estas colecciones, son esencialmente las mismas que las descritas para las colecciones de Historia Natural, y tienen su origen en la falta de recursos humanos y materiales. En cuanto al segundo objetivo, la opinión de la gran mayoría de los entrevistados ha confirmado que el patrimonio paleontológico no estaba suficientemente valorado por la Administración competente. Las causas se han atribuido a que el Departament de Cultura de la Generalitat de Cataluña no ha invertido ni los suficientes recursos humanos ni económicos para poner en valor este patrimonio, ni tampoco ha mostrado el suficiente interés en su gestión, conservación y difusión. Finalmente el tercer objetivo que era saber ¿cómo podría afectar la crisis al patrimonio paleontológico conservado en los museos y las colecciones visitables?, partiendo de lo que se ha descrito en otros países. Las respuestas obtenidas permiten afirmar que se podrían producir situaciones de vulnerabilidad en la conservación de los fondos de Paleontología. Tres instituciones podrían tener problemas de conservación, y en otros tres museos peligra su supervivencia. La crisis se ha añadido a situaciones de manifiesta precariedad que se vienen arrastrando desde hace muchos años y que tienen su origen en la falta de inversiones económicas, y de recursos humanos y materiales

Nanocàpsules polimèriques per a l'alliberament controlat de fàrmacs

El càncer és una de les malalties que causa més morts als països desenvolupats. En aquest article s'ofereix un resum dels diferents tractaments d'aquesta malaltia, els quals han anat evolucionant cap a teràpies cada vegada més dirigides. Les innovacions en quimioteràpia, i més específicament les relacionades amb els nanomaterials, tenen com a objectiu modificar les propietats dels fàrmacs per tal d'incrementar-ne l'índex terapèutic, reduir-ne els efectes secundaris i millorar la qualitat de vida del pacient. Dins d'aquest context es presenta el treball que s'està desenvolupant a l'empresa Ecopol Tech, SL, en col·labo- ració amb la Universitat de Barcelona, basat en la preparació de nanocàpsules polimèriques com a materials intel·ligents per a l'alliberament controlat de molècules citotòxiques

Ischemic heart disease and primary care: identifying gender-related differences. An observational study

Background: Gender-related differences are seen in multiple aspects of both health and illness. Ischemic heart disease (IHD) is a pathology in which diagnostic, treatment and prognostic differences are seen between sexes, especially in the acute phase and in the hospital setting. The objective of the present study is to analyze whether there are differences between men and women when examining associated cardiovascular risk factors and secondary pharmacological prevention in the primary care setting. Methods: Retrospective descriptive observational study from January to December of 2006, including 1907 patients diagnosed with ischemic heart disease in the city of Lleida, Spain. The clinical data were obtained from computerized medical records and pharmaceutical records of medications dispensed in pharmacies with official prescriptions. Data was analyzed using bivariate descriptive statistical analysis as well as logistic regression. Results: There were no gender-related differences in screening percentages for arterial hypertension, diabetes, obesity, dyslipemia, and smoking. A greater percentage of women were hypertensive, obese and diabetic compared to men. However, men showed a tendency to achieve control targets more easily than women, with no statistically significant differences. In both sexes cardiovascular risk factors control was inadequate, between 10 and 50%. For secondary pharmaceutical prevention, the percentages of prescriptions were greater in men for anticoagulants, beta-blockers, lipid-lowering agents and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin II receptor blockers, with age group variations up to 10%. When adjusting by age and specific diagnoses, differences were maintained for anticoagulants and lipid-lowering agents. Conclusion: Screening of cardiovascular risk factors was similar in men and women with IHD. Although a greater percentage of women were hypertensive, diabetic or obese, their management of risk factors tended to be worse than men. Overall, a poor control of cardiovascular risk factors was noted. Taken as a whole, more men were prescribed secondary prevention drugs, with differences varying by age group and IHD diagnosis

Influencia de la encuesta de los estudiantes sobre la calidad docente en la universidad

In the Spanish university sphere there are conflicts of private interests. On the one hand, one of the main objectives of the students, if not the most important, is to pass the subjects. They consider often that the demands of their instructors are excessive: continuous evaluation, presentations, problem solving tasks, and so on. On the other hand, the teaching staff must fulfil with the teaching tasks, including a proper assessment of the students' competences. The results of the Teaching Evaluation Survey, where the students assess their instructors, is getting more and more weight in the evaluation of the merits of the teaching staff.In this paper we analyse, by taking into account the opinions of both students and teachers, the current use of this survey: how they affect both the practice of teaching and the teachers' promotion. Finally, we propose some changes in order to improve its implementation and subsequent use.En el ámbito universitario español existen intereses particulares contrapuestos. Por un lado, uno de los principales objetivos de los estudiantes, si no el más importante, es aprobar las asignaturas. Estos consideran en muchos casos que las exigencias del profesorado son excesivas: evaluación continua, exposiciones, resolución de problemas, etc. Por otro lado, el profesorado tiene que cumplir con su labor docente, que incluye una evaluación adecuada de las competencias de los estudiantes. En los últimos tiempos, la encuesta al profesorado por parte de los estudiantes tiene un peso cada vez más importante en la valoración de los méritos del profesorado. En este trabajo analizamos, considerando las opiniones tanto del alumnado cono del profesorado, el actual uso de las encuestas: cómo afectan a la docencia impartida y a la promoción del profesorado. Finalmente proponemos cambios para mejorar surealización y su uso posterior

Feasibility Assessment of the Let’s Walk Programme (CAMINEM): Exercise Training and Health Promotion in Primary Health-Care Settings

Exercise is related to many individual health outcomes but impact evaluations of exercise programmes are seldom conducted. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the feasibility of an exercise prescription intervention in primary health-care settings (CAMINEM Programme) located in two socially disadvantaged neighbourhoods. The CAMINEM was a pragmatic-driven intervention with opportunistic recruitment. It followed the 5As framework for health promotion and also the exercise training principles. Feasibility was evaluated using the RE-AIM framework (Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance). Patients with non-communicable chronic diseases participated in a 12-month home-based moderate-intensity exercise program, counselled by exercise physiologists. Participants were grouped according to their physical activity behaviour at baseline and 6-month adherence. CAMINEM reached 1.49% (n = 229) of the eligible population (N = 15,374) and included a final sample of 178. Health outcomes for adhered participants followed positive patterns. Non-adhered participants visited their practitioner more compared to adhered participants. Thirty-three practitioners (40%) referred patients. Nurses referred four times more than physicians (81% and 19% respectively). The delivery of exercise prescriptions proved to be easy to complete and record by participants as well as easy to monitor and adjust by the exercise physiologists. One out of four participants adhered during the 12-month intervention. This intervention has been feasible in primary care in Catalonia, Spain, to safely prescribe home-based exercise for several conditions.This research was funded by the Secretaria General de l’Esport and the Departament d’Innovació, Universitats i Empresa, Generalitat de Catalunya with a competitive grant for junior researchers, grant number 006780 Ordre 001

Evaluation of a family intervention programme for the treatment of overweight and obese children (Nereu Programme): a randomized clinical trial study protocol

Background: Obesity is mainly attributed to environmental factors. In developed countries, the time spent on physical activity tasks is decreasing, whereas sedentary behaviour patterns are increasing. The purpose of the intervention is to evaluate the effectiveness of an intensive family-based behavioural multicomponent intervention (Nereu programme) and compared it to counselling intervention such as a health centre intervention programme for the management of children"s obesity. Methods/Design: The study design is a randomized controlled multicenter clinical trial using two types of interventions: Nereu and Counselling. The Nereu programme is an 8-month intensive family-based multi-component behavioural intervention. This programme is based on a multidisciplinary intervention consisting of 4 components: physical activity sessions for children, family theoretical and practical sessions for parents, behaviour strategy sessions involving both, parents and children, and lastly, weekend extra activities for all. Counselling is offered to the family in the form of a monthly physical health and eating habits session. Participants will be recruited according the following criteria: 6 to 12 year-old-children, referred from their paediatricians due to overweight or obesity according the International Obesity Task Force criteria and with a sedentary profile (less than 2 hours per week of physical activity), they must live in or near the municipality of Lleida (Spain) and their healthcare paediatric unit must have previously accepted to cooperate with this study. The following variables will be evaluated: a) cardiovascular risk factors (anthropometric parameters, blood test and blood pressure), b) sedentary and physical activity behaviour and dietary intake, c) psychological aspects d) health related quality of life (HRQOL), e) cost-effectiveness of the intervention in relation to HRQOL. These variables will be then be evaluated 4 times longitudinally: at baseline, at the end of the intervention (8 months later), 6 and 12 months after the intervention. We have considered necessary to recruit 100 children and divide them in 2 groups of 50 to detect the differences between the groups. Discussion: This trial will provide new evidence for the long-term effects of childhood obesity management, as well as help to know the impact of the present intervention as a health intervention tool for healthcare centres. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01878994This research is partially funded by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III in Spain, from the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness with the expedient number PI12/02220, the Diputació de Lleida, the Department of Health of the Generalitat de Catalunya and the City Council of Lleida “La Paeria - Ajuntament de Lleida”. This research was supported by the Institute of Physical Education of Catalonia (INEFC), University of Lleida, Spain, (VCP/3570/2010, de 29 d’octubre, DOGC NÚM. 5753 – 11.11.2010; VCP/28/2009, 14 of January, DOGC NÚM. 5302 – 22/01/1999)

Efficacy and tolerance of the topical application of potassium hydroxide (10% and 15%) in the treatment of molluscum contagiosum: Randomized clinical trial: Research protocol

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Molluscum contagiosum is a non-severe pediatric viral infection. Because it is highly contagious and current treatments have negative aesthetic and psychological effects, we want to test an alternative treatment in the primary care setting, consisting of two different concentrations of potassium hydroxide solution.</p> <p>Methods/design</p> <p>The study design is a double-blind, randomized clinical trial, using three types of topical treatment. The treatment consist of daily applications of potassium hydroxide (KOH) in aqueous solution at 10% and 15% concentration, and a placebo administered in the control group. Four follow-up visits (at 15, 30, 45 and 60 days) are planned to evaluate treatment effectiveness and patient tolerance.</p> <p>The main outcome measure of the trial will be the healing rate, defined as lesion disappearance in the affected zones after the topic application of the experimental treatment. Secondary measures will be the principal characteristics and evolution of the affected zone (surface area, number of lesions, size and density of lesions), treatment tolerance (hyperpigmentation, itching, burning, pain), recurrence rate and the natural evolution of lesions in the control group.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>KOH can potentially be an effective and safe treatment for MC in primary care, and can also reduce referrals to dermatologists and hospital pediatric departments. In addition, KOH may be a valid and less expensive alternative to current invasive treatments (surgical excision).</p> <p>Trial Registration</p> <p>ClinicalTrials.gov: <a href="http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01348386">NCT01348386</a></p

Synthesis, characterization and in vitro toxicity of paramagnetic Au nanorods

Coated Au nanorods are widely known for their absorption in the near infrared1, making them excellent candidates for near infrared imaging and photo thermal therapy2. Furthermore, recent studies have shown that these nanomaterials are excellent candidates for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) since they can be used as T1 contrast agents when functionalized with Gd3+-containing moieties and as multimodal agents for MR-CT3 and MR-plasmonic4 imaging. In this context, our aim is to explore the possible incorporation of Gd3+ complexes to these nanosystems in order to use them as T1 contrast agents for MRI and, in a more advanced stage, as multimodal imaging agents. Here we describe the synthesis, characterization, properties and in vitro toxicity of paramagnetic nanorods coated, in one step, with combinations of thiol functionalized Gd3+ complexes of a 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7-tris(acetic acid) (DO3A)-based ligand and polyethylene glycol (PEG). Preliminary results show that these paramagnetic Au nanorods are biocompatible, show T1 contrast at low Gd3+ concentrations and are envisioned to become excellent candidates for multimodal purposes

Análisis de la mejora de los resultados de una asignatura inicial de programación tras cambiar la planificación de actividades

El objetivo de este trabajo es comprobar que los cambios introducidos en la planificación de actividades de evaluación continua de una asignatura de introducción a la programación han sido el factor determinante en la mejora de los resultados de los estudiantes. La evaluación continua pasó de tres entregas en el semestre a distribuir semanalmente los mismos contenidos y tareas en diez entregas. Aunque un análisis descriptivo de los datos muestra una mejora importante en la tasa de rendimiento tras el cambio, los estudiantes de cada semestre pueden tener perfiles distintos, circunstancia que puede influir también en los resultados. Así, se ha aplicado la técnica de análisis cuasi experimental Propensity Score Matching para poder comparar los resultados en estas poblaciones potencialmente distintas y comprobar si la mejora se debe efectivamente a la nueva planificación de actividades. Además, se han analizado varios modelos de regresión logística para intentar explicar la influencia del cambio de la planificación en la mejora de los resultados de la asignatura. A la vista del estudio realizado, se concluye que la temporalización semanal de las actividades ha supuesto un cambio positivo en los resultados de la asignatura.The aim of this project is to prove if the planification changes done in the continuous evaluation for the programming course is the key factor that explains the increase in the student’s results. The continuous evaluation of this introductory programming course went from having three deliveries in the semester in the past to distribute the same contents and tasks in ten weekly deliveries. Although the descriptive analysis of the data shows a significant improvement in the performance rate after the change, the students in each semester could have different profiles that also influenced the results. The quasi-experimental analysis technique Propensity Score Matching has been applied to be able to compare the results in these potentially different populations and check if the improvement is due to the new planning of activities. In addition, some logistic regression models have been analysed to explain the influence in the planification changes and its relationship with the results improvement. According to the obtained results, it is concluded that the weekly timing of the activities has led to a positive result in the students’ performance

Effectiveness of a Multi-Component Intervention for Overweight and Obese Children (Nereu Program): A Randomized Controlled Trial

Introduction: Treatment of childhood obesity is a complex challenge for primary health care professionals. Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of the Nereu Program in improving anthropometric parameters, physical activity and sedentary behaviours, and dietary intake. Methods: Randomized, controlled, multicentre clinical trial comparing Nereu Program and usual counselling group interventions in primary care settings. The 8-month study recruited 113 children aged 6 to 12 years with overweight/obesity. Before recruitment, eligible participants were randomly allocated to an intensive, family-based multi-component behavioural intervention (Nereu Program group) or usual advice from their paediatrician on healthy eating and physical activity. Anthropometric parameters, objectively measured sedentary and physical activity behaviours, and dietary intake were evaluated pre- and post-intervention. Results: At the end of the study period, both groups achieved a similar decrease in body mass index (BMIsd) compared to baseline. Nereu Program participants (n = 54) showed greater increases in moderate-intense physical activity (+6.27% vs. -0.61%, p<0.001) and daily fruit servings (+0.62 vs. +0.13, p<0.026), and decreased daily soft drinks consumption (-0.26 vs. -0.02, p<0.047), respectively, compared to the counselling group (n = 59). Conclusions: At the end of the 8-month intervention, participants in the Nereu Program group showed improvement in physical activity and dietary behaviours, compared to the counselling group